15 Things You Absolutely Must Do In Seville, Spain

Seville is one of my favorite cities in all of Europe, and is an absolute must on any trip to the south of Spain. I first visited Seville nearly two years ago, and loved it so much I actually packed up my bags and decided to move to this charming Andalucian city to teach English!

While I originally wrote this post after my first visit to Seville, after one year of calling the city home, I still consider these suggestions to be the best for a first-time visitor to the city. While one could easily spend hours simply wandering around, taking in the city’s relaxed atmosphere, stunning architecture, and hunting for the best tapas in town, it helps if you know where to wander! To help you discover some of the best that enchanting Seville has to offer, I’ve put together a list of the top 10 things you won’t want to miss in Seville! 

1. Visit the Alcázar of Seville

The Alcázar of Seville, or Reales Alcázares de Sevilla, is probably Seville’s most famous site. You may even recognize it from some episodes of Game of Thrones! The palace was first constructed in the 14th century by Moorish kings, and features Muslim influenced Mudéjar architecture so unique to the south of Spain. Spend a few hours wandering the palace, which is filled with stunning 16th-century tile work, and be sure to allow time to wander the gardens. You’ll want to purchase tickets in advance, as lines can be quite long!

2. Check out the Plaza de España

The Plaza de España is one of Seville’s most famous plazas and for good reason. The impressive square was built for the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929, and features neo-mudéjar architecture. The plaza’s large semi-circular brick buildings, fountain, towers, and intricate tiled bridges are truly a sight to behold.

3. Wander around Maria Luisa Park

Once you’ve taken in the Plaza de España you’ll want to head over to the neighboring Maria Luisa Park. This large park is a perfect spot to stroll or even have a picnic, and you are sure to love the beautiful fountains and landscaped gardens within.

4. Visit the Seville Cathedral…

The Seville Cathedral, or Catedral de Sevilla, is the largest Cathedral in the world, and is one of the most amazing churches I have ever seen. The massive Gothic church is also home to the tomb of Christopher Columbus (which, love him or hate him, is pretty impressive).

5. … & Climb La Giralda

When you visit the Seville Cathedral, be sure to climb the Giralda bell tower. This former minaret was later converted into the Cathedral’s bell tower. The panoramic views of Seville from the top are simply amazing.

6. Find the best tapas in town

One of my favorite things about traveling in Spain is the incredible cuisine! Seville has some of the best tapas of all the Spanish cities I have visited. However, with over 3,000 tapas bars to choose from in Seville, selecting a place to dine can be quite overwhelming! If you are a foodie, history lover, and would also like to discover some of the best tapas in town, then consider heading on a Devour Seville food tour. You can read all about my experience on Devour Seville’s Tapas, Taverns & History tour in this blog post! I had an excellent time on the tour and (even as a “local”) discovered some new favorite tapas bars and learned some great details about the city. Devour Seville also offers a variety of tour options, so be sure to check them out if you are a foodie!

Special thanks to Devour Seville for inviting me to join the tour! I couldn’t have enjoyed it more! This post contains affiliate links. As always, my opinions are 100% my own! 

7. Attend a Flamenco performance

Any trip to Andalusia, the birthplace of Flamenco, wouldn’t be complete without attending a Flamenco performance! There are many different performance spaces with a variety of show times in Seville, so you can easily witness this lively tradition for yourself!

8. Get lost in the Barrio Santa Cruz

The Barrio Santa Cruz is one of Seville’s most charming neighborhoods and was the city’s historic Jewish Quarter. Take some time to explore the neighborhood’s winding streets and beautifully painted buildings. You won’t even mind getting lost here!

9. Tour the bull ring

Sevilla’s bullfighting ring has quite a long title (Plaza de toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla), which matches the long history of bullfighting in Spain. Though I personally didn’t want to witness a bullfight as they are quite violent and 6 bulls are killed each fight, I would highly recommend touring the bullring itself. The Baroque ring is quite grand, with beautiful white walls with yellow and red accents that seem to perfectly match the city.

10. Visit the Torre del Oro

The 13th century Torre del Oro, or tower of gold, is a historic military watchtower situated on the banks of the Guadalquivir river which runs through Seville. Today, visitors to the tower can see a few military exhibits and also catch a one-of-a-kind view across the river.

11. Explore a historic home…

Seville is home to several beautifully preserved historic homes. I visited both the Palacio de las Duenas and the Casa de Pilatos, and would definitely consider these grand estates to be trip highlights. The stunning tile work, collections of art, and stately grounds will have you feeling as though you’ve stepped back in time, and will really help you get a feel for the rich architectural and cultural history of Seville.

12. …or two!

Why head to just one beautiful home when you could visit two? I loved my visit to both estates so much that I would highly recommend seeing both if you have the time!

13. Take in the views from the Metropol Parasol

You’ll want to make sure to stop by the undulating white mushroom-shaped grid of the Metropol Parasol. The view of the city from the top is spectacular, and the winding pathway set atop the modern structure illustrates the Seville of today while highlighting the surrounding architecture of the past. You can even grab a drink at the small rooftop bar if you’d like!

14. Hang out in the lively Alameda de Hércules

 

This popular mall area is in the hip and artsy section of town. A great place to grab tapas, a drink, or just enjoy an evening out on the town. I stayed in an Airbnb nearby and loved being located so close to the lively, fun vibes of the Alameda de Hércules.

15. Save some time to simply roam the city

Some of my favorite moments visiting Seville can’t be put on an itinerary or found in any guidebook. The magic of this Spanish city lies in the beauty of its architecture, the richness of its culture, and the feel of the city. Don’t get so caught up in “seeing it all” that you forget to take in the beauty and details which can be found everywhere for those who are looking!

---

What are you putting on the top of your must-see list? Let me know in the comments!

For more useful posts on visiting Spain, check out:

• Tapas, Taverns & History Tour With Devour Seville
• 3 Perfect Days in Barcelona: The Ultimate Itinerary
• Must Do Madrid: The Top 10 Things To Do In Spain’s Capital
• 15 Epic Things To Do In Barcelona
• How To Spend 1 Day In Córdoba: Top 5 Things To Do
• Everything You Need To Know About Visiting The Alhambra
• Must Do Málaga: Discover The Top 10 Things To Do In Picasso’s Birthplace

Don’t forget to pin these tips for later!